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bereft of guests and of any celebration at all, darkened by an angry King Richard and a miserable, weeping Queen Berengaria. Clever Ian. Had he planned that this should be as great a contrast as possible? that it should wake no unhappy memories? |
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If it was his plan, he had succeeded. It was impossible that Alinor should not remember Simon in this moment, but the memory was not sad or bitter. It was of something warm and good, strong and safe, but so very different from what was taking place, from what she felt and expected to feel, that it could wake no unhappiness in her. With brilliant eyes, half-smiling lips and light steps, Alinor went down to forge the first firm link in the chain of the new life she was making. |
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Everything was different from that first wedding. The happy chatter of the women as they followed her down the stairs, the affectionate kisses Isobel gave her as she placed Alinor's cloak over her shoulders; William's sober-sad yet honest approval as he lifted her to her horse; the road, bright in sunlight, frosty cold now that the rain had ended; the people lining the road, shouting joy for her, cheering anew as Ian and the men followed the train of women. The whole road, from the gates of the palisade around the keep to the town itself, was deep in common folkfirst her own men-at-arms and the castle servants, many in tears; then the servants and retainers of her guests; then the serfs from the countryside, who threw wheat from their scanty store, the symbol of peace and plenty; then the townsfolk, the better and the lesser. Here and there a flower was thrown, a winter rose, a costmary, an iris, carefully nurtured at home for a little color and joy during the bitter winter months. In all the cold, Alinor was suffused with warmth; her people loved her and wished her well. |
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Nothing was a shadow of the past, not even her own voice or Ian's giving the responses. This time there were no doubts, no fears, no oppression. Alinor heard her |
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